GreenIron, a Swedish company focused on advancing sustainable practices in the metals and mining industries, has selected ABB to provide key automation and control solutions for its first commercial facility in Sandviken, Sweden. GreenIron’s hydrogen-based reduction technology is designed to produce fossil-free sponge iron, offering a cleaner, energy-efficient alternative to traditional coal-based methods. The plant’s single furnace is expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 56,000 tonnes annually, with water as the only byproduct. Scaling up to 300 furnaces could reduce about 35% of Sweden’s total CO₂ emissions.
To support this expansion, ABB will implement its Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS) at GreenIron’s facility. This advanced system will manage the entire industrial process, integrating control, safety, and power management into one platform. The integration will allow for real-time data collection, providing greater operational visibility and efficiency, and enabling smarter decision-making.
GreenIron’s process is designed to create raw materials from both residual products, such as landfills and waste, as well as virgin ore. The resulting sponge iron can be used in a variety of applications, including steelmaking and metal fabrication.
“This partnership with ABB is a pivotal step as we scale up to commercial production,” said Ulrika Molander, Chief Operating Officer at GreenIron. “ABB’s system will help stabilize our operations and guide our growth with data-driven insights.”
ABB’s Martin Björnmalm, Local Business Line Manager for Metals in Sweden, emphasized the role of their collaboration in helping GreenIron meet the metals industry’s sustainability demands. “Our technologies will support GreenIron’s innovative process, providing a scalable solution for future growth while ensuring efficiency and productivity.”
ABB’s automation systems are designed to be compatible with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, further aligning with GreenIron’s goal to build a CO₂-free value chain in metal production. The collaboration aims to address the metals and mining industries’ significant carbon footprint, which contributes around 8% of global CO₂ emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). With over 40 years of experience, ABB’s System 800xA continues to be central in transforming industrial operations by collecting valuable data and providing actionable insights, ensuring sustainable, efficient, and safe processes.
